This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Visit Gulf County for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.
Who wouldn’t love a trip a Florida? It’s warm, sunny, and a great place for the entire family. However, before you jump in the car and set off, there’s some tips you need to consider. Whether it’s researching different Florida destinations or making sure the trip goes smoothly, these are Florida travel tips all families can use.
Research Different Destinations
When researching destinations you want to consider the ages of your family members. This will help you pick a destination that makes everyone happy. While doing your research, read reviews of the activities in the area and make notes. This will help you keep track and choose the best destination.
I was recently introduced to an area of Florida that I haven’t had the chance to visit yet, but it is now on our family’s “must-vacation-there” list for sure! I have to admit – the first thing I think about when I think of a trip to Florida is… a beach! Gulf County Florida has beautiful beaches, but also easy access to water of all kinds – the Gulf of Mexico, the pristine, saltwater St. Joseph Bay, Indian Pass Lagoon, the Gulf County Canal, the Intracoastal Waterway, the Apalachicola Bay and river basin and the freshwater of the Dead Lakes and Chipola River are all connected and connect people to nature in Gulf County Florida! The beaches in GCFL are consistently ranked as some of the top beaches to visit AND they’re incredibly pet friendly beaches too! In fact, there’s so much water accessibility that you’re never more than 15 minutes away from access to kayaking, all types of fishing, hiking, biking, bird watching, snorkeling, diving, paddleboarding, ecotouring, boating!
Choose a Location That Offers Something for Everyone
While doing your research, you’ll find that many locations may work for part of your family, but not the rest. Look through your notes and choose a destination that has lots of activities so that everyone in the family has something they’ll enjoy. Gulf County Florida is located right on the panhandle and has so much to offer vacationers. With a laid back feel and tons of outdoor activities at your fingertips – it’s sure to have something for everyone in the family to enjoy.
The girls would love to explore the many nature activities, like hiking, walking along the beach, exploring the Cape San Blas Lighthouse, and swimming, of course! I would love to rent kayaks with Rob like we did on our Honeymoon!
Find a Hotel That Meets Your Needs
If you want a quick breakfast each morning, choose a hotel that has a restaurant. This way you can grab a bite to eat before heading out. This will save a lot of time. You also want to make sure the hotel has a pool and an indoor pool is a plus because it does rain quite a bit in Florida. If you like to stay fit, you may also want a place that has a gym. Read reviews so you make the best choice. Lastly, search for the best price through comparison website.
Shop for Discount Tickets
Once you’ve chosen your destination and got your hotel booked, you want to start shopping for the best price on attraction tickets. With that said, you also want to make sure you’re shopping with legitimate companies. Research online and visit travel forums for advice.
Pack Accordingly
Florida is warm and sunny, but it also rains almost every afternoon/evening, especially if you’re on the beach. If you’re planning a lot of outdoor activities, pack your sunscreen, but also bring an umbrella and ponchos. You may also want to make sure that everyone has a light jacket and jeans in case things turn a bit chilly from the rain.
Create a Snack Pack for the Road
You can obviously stop at gas stations along the way, but you will pay so much more for snacks. Instead, hit your local big box store and stock up on everyone’s favorite snacks and drinks. Also get a cooler, if you don’t have one, and pack it down with ice and drinks an hour or two before you hit the road.
Stock the Car with Activities
Last, but not least, make sure everyone has something to keep them busy. This will help keep boredom to a minimum. If your kids have tablets, make sure you bring along the car chargers. You can also buy travel games or, if your children are young, play games like I Spy.
A trip to Florida can be perfect for everyone involved. It just takes a bit of research and a bit of prep work to ensure that the entire trip is one everyone will love and remember.
Annie Frances
Monday 9th of May 2016
I have fond memories from my childhood of a family vacation to Florida. I want to give my kids the same experience, but it's hard to plan a trip with four little ones. I never thought about picking a hotel with a restaurant. That will surely help a lot when I don't want to cook (which is never). Thanks for all the awesome advice.
Tenontours
Tuesday 12th of April 2016
Wonderful location! Nice theme parks, restaurants & great hospitality. I had a memorable experience in florida.
Te
Thursday 7th of April 2016
Wonderful location! Nice theme parks, restaurants & great hospitality. I had a memorable experience in florida.
Anita Duvall
Sunday 27th of March 2016
I think you are referring to Paddle boarding.
Sue E
Saturday 26th of March 2016
You love Kayaking & Paddleboarding